Dorothy's QuestionMy hair is really curly on top and dead straight on the bottom. It looks like a mullet. Is there a way to style it so that when I layer it the straight part isn't noticeable?I have really weird combination hair. It's really curly on top and dead straight on the bottom. So whenever I get my hair layered, the curls on top are shorter than they should be. It looks like I have a mullet beacause there's an embarrassingly long gap between the curly layers and the straight layer.
Is there a way to style my hair so that when I layer it the straight part isn't noticeable?
Oh I read some of your answers saying that thinning shears will only make hair bigger. I've had my hair thinned out a couple of times and it actually does make it thin. Is there another way to thin hair out without using shears?
Dorothy
Nicole's Answer:Dear DorothyCombination hair can be tricky.
In your case, if you are willing to get a perm I would highly suggest it. Only perm the straight section of your hair. Choose a rod size close to the size of your existing curl. This will make it easier for your stylist to cut because he/she will only have one type of curl to work with and not combination.
If you are not interested in chemically alerting your hair, try some different styling options.
You can use a curling iron, hot rollers or sponge setting rods. Any of these options will help blend the top section of curly hair to the bottom. I would suggest only rolling the straight sections and leaving your natural curl on top. If you feel there is too much of a difference in the top and bottom curl use a curling iron to blend the two curls.
To touch on the other topic of thinning your curly hair: you are right. When a stylist uses thinning shears (scissors with multiple little teeth) to take out the density of the hair, your hair in fact does get thinner because he/she is removing hair. However, because these shears have multiple little teeth and are usually used in a random way through the hair, it disturbs the curl pattern and explodes the curl, turning your natural "s" pattern into an "8". You will still lose hair and density but your hair itself will be "bigger" a.k.a. FRIZZ! With your combination curl you wouldn't notice the "frizz factor" as much in the straight section. The thinning shears do not affect straight hair the same way.
There is a way to remove density and still keep the curl lying within its natural curl. This is by cutting with regular hair cutting shears, and following the way the curls lie, removing hair within that curl pattern. This can actually enhance your curl while removing weight.
Best wishes,
Nicole
Nicole's Tips for Styling Curly Hair
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Nicole Siri is passionate about curly hair. A professional
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As well as offering curly hair tips to our visitors, Nicole caters to her own curly clientele in Reston, Virginia.
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